How to Play Shuffleboard - Knock Off Rules

Estimated read time: 7 Minutes
Have you ever wondered how to play shuffleboard? Here are the most common shuffleboard rules that generally apply to most games. The rules usually require that you alternately take turns sliding, by hand, all 4 of your weights against the ones from your opponent. Try to make it to the highest scoring area on the shuffleboard without falling off the end of the board into the alley. In order to earn points your weights need to be the farthest down the board. Some of the strategy and fun really comes into play when you knock off your opponents' weights, outdistance them or use your weights to protect your other highest scoring weights.Usually the most common games are played either to 15 or 21 points. The sections below cover the shuffleboard game rules for the most famous (and fun) shuffleboard games. We hope you find these game rules helpful for enjoyment of your McClure Shuffleboard table.

1. Pick teams

Decide who will be playing. Place one member from each time on opposte ends of the table.

2. Decide point total to win

Shuffleboard can be played to 15 or 21 points. Decide how many points until a player or team will need to win.

3. Coin toss to decide which team goes first

Play may start from either end of the board, but the shooting order and weight color are decided by a coin toss. The winner of the flip may elect to choose the color of the shuffleboard puck or the hammer. Named for the person who has the last shot of the round, the hammer is considered an advantage since you have the final opportunity to knock off an opponent’s puck. The player’s alternate shots until the round is over and all four weights have been thrown across the shuffleboard table. The team or player who scored points on the previous round must shoot first on the next round. If no points are scored on the preceding round (I.E.: All weights are knocked off) than the hammer changes hands. Play continues in this manner until one team reaches the designated points usually 15 points.

4. How to score

In each round of Knock Off, only one player scores points. The team who has thrown their puck closest to the end of the board scores all the points in that round. Only the pucks that are ahead of your opponent's deepest weight are added together for the score for that round. A weight scores one-point if it is located between the designated foul line and the two-point line. Weights completely across the two or three line likewise count for the allotted number of points for that section of the table. To judge if a weight is completely over the line it should be viewed from above (i.e., look down over the top of the weight). The entire weight must be over the line for it to count as the next higher point value. If any portion of the weight is hanging over the end of the board in the three-point section, it’s called a “hanger" and counts as four-points. If you’re having trouble calling a hanger, check by holding a weight flat to the edge of the board and dragging it along the back end of the board. If it hits the hanger the puck then it is worth the entire four-points.

How to Play Shuffleboard Video